Our Pastor

Monsignor John J. Darcy, J.C.D.

Monsignor Darcy is the son of the late John and Yvette Darcy. He was born and raised in Fall River, where he graduated from St. Patrick Elementary School and B.M.C. Durfee High school. He received a B.A. in political science from Southeastern Massachusetts University (UMass-Dartmouth) in 1973. He attended St. John’s Seminary in Boston from 1973-1978. The Most Reverend Louis E. Gelineau ordained him to the priesthood on August 3, 1979 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, West Warwick. He has served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel, West Warwick; St. Catherine, Warwick; St. Mary, Newport; St. Brendan, Riverside; and at Our Lady of Mercy, East Greenwich.

In conjunction with sabbatical studies at the École Biblique, Jerusalem, he received an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Providence College in 1993. From 1995-1997, he then pursued studies at St. Paul’s Pontifical University, Ottawa, Canada where he was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.).

Returning to the Diocese in 1997, he was appointed as a Judge to the Diocesan Tribunal, and from 2001-2003, as Adjutant Judicial Vicar. In 2001, the Most Reverend Robert E. Mulvee appointed him Chancellor, and then Vicar General of the Diocese in 2004.

Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II named him a
“Prelate of Honor to His Holiness,” with the title Reverend Monsignor in April 2004. The title, Prelate of Honor, reflects the special distinction of the recipient for service and commitment to the Church and is an immediate level of honor among prelates belonging to the Pontifical Household.

Monsignor Darcy has served on the diocesan level as a member of the College of Consultors, Secretary to the Council of Priests, Diocesan Finance Council, the Diocesan Cemetery Board, the Advisory Board for the Protection of Children and Young People, Secretary to Our Lady Queen of the Clergy Advisory Board, and as the Vicar for Ministerial Services.

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin appointed him pastor of St. Sebastian parish, Providence on January 21, 2010. Monsignor returned to the École Biblique, Jerusalem for personal sabbatical studies from Aug.- Nov. 2013. He was transferred to St. Margaret Parish, Rumford, RI on July 1, 2015 and was installed by the Most Reverend Robert Evans, Auxiliary Bishop, on August 1, 2016. On August 4, 2015, Bishop Tobin appointed Monsignor Darcy as Dean (Vicar Forane) of Deanery 1 (East Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls).